Any advice or helpful tips while in Europe?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Sep 2019 02:11:50 -0400

Going to Europe soon and wanted to see if anyone had any advice (i.e. phone service, wifi, not getting robbed/scammed out of money, etc.) Any help would be appreciated, thanks

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Sep 30 at 2019 2:17 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Mon, 30 Sep 2019 02:17:23 -0400

SPC Private RallyPoint Member Robbed? Pick Pockets? Possibility in the London Underground, More of a Possibility in Naples. Where You Heading?

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2019 2:30 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Sep 2019 02:30:02 -0400

My fault i should have been a little more specific. By robbed i mean paying too much due to not being able to fully understand what I'm being charged or my account getting hacked

Response by TSgt David L. made Sep 30 at 2019 2:35 AM

TSgt David L. — Mon, 30 Sep 2019 02:35:15 -0400

Take a power converter so you can plug in personal electronics. Tons of places to see. Not sure where y'all are headed but stay in groups and you shouldn't have issues. Not sure about phone/wifi. We had land lines when I was there.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Sep 30 at 2019 2:56 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Mon, 30 Sep 2019 02:56:57 -0400

SPC Private RallyPoint Member If You're Staying in London, I Recommend the Columbia Hotel. It has a Quite a Unique Rep. Up and Coming Rock Stars, Military Spooks, US Rhodes Scholars Stay There.

Response by PVT Mark Zehner made Sep 30 at 2019 4:07 AM

PVT Mark Zehner — Mon, 30 Sep 2019 04:07:11 -0400

Forget wifi or data usage in most areas but get out and see the countries!

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Sep 30 at 2019 6:54 AM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Mon, 30 Sep 2019 06:54:21 -0400

Learn to speak some of the language in the countries you want to visit and think about a translator program for your phone. I don't trust them completely, but if you know a few word, it helps to get around. Yes, English as a second language is very common in Europe, but the locals like it if you at least try to speak the local language.
If you are going to try to see a lot of Europe, Eurail passes are relatively cheap and you can buy packages that allow so many days of train travel. Rail service is very good in Western Europe and will take you at least close to most major attractions.
Check the customs in the country you are traveling. Someone already mentioned that tipping is not universally accepted, so ask around before you tip.
Don't hang out in the tourist and or Military hangouts. Try the local food, talk with the locals, drink the local wine and beers.
Western Europe is relatively bike friendly and the Rail service is used to handling them. There is an small additional charge in some countries, not in others. The parts of Europe I've been in around Germany, traffic reminds me of driving in New York, so if you aren't used to riding on city streets, you may want to leave the bike at home. If I were taking a bike, I would probably invest in a folding bike and a bike bag. Eurail doesn't charge extra for those.

Response by CPL Gary Pifer made Sep 30 at 2019 9:55 PM

CPL Gary Pifer — Mon, 30 Sep 2019 21:55:21 -0400

Actually travel. I met so many that hung out on base or locally and missed the chance.

Response by CPL Gary Pifer made Sep 30 at 2019 9:59 PM

CPL Gary Pifer — Mon, 30 Sep 2019 21:59:36 -0400

Watch out for gypsies... wear a money belt.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 1 at 2019 9:40 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 09:40:19 -0400

Don't sit around. When you can, take a train and explore the continent. You will enjoy it and remember it the rest of your life. Travel. Travel. Travel.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 1 at 2019 6:59 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 18:59:34 -0400

electric converters, get the number to the US embassy/consulate (and give it to any significant other you may have), in their language learn to tell someone you're an American and to call the consulate please, take TONS of pics and video, be careful driving, see the sights in the rural countryside and get a feel of their traditions and culture instead of being stuck only in the cities (think of all the tourists who only see New York City and think that's what all of America is like...most certainly not! America is not NYC, so France is not Paris and Germany is not Berlin!)